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Pope Leo XIV Hosts Hollywood Elite for Rare Vatican Film Summit

From *It’s a Wonderful Life* to *Life Is Beautiful*, the pope’s film picks surprise. Now, Hollywood’s biggest names gather at the Apostolic Palace—why?

In this image there is a book. The name of the book is St Nicholas for November. There is a santa...
In this image there is a book. The name of the book is St Nicholas for November. There is a santa claus and a kid on the cover page.

These are his four favorite films - Pope Leo XIV Hosts Hollywood Elite for Rare Vatican Film Summit

Pope Leo XIV continues a Vatican tradition by inviting Hollywood stars and directors for a special meeting at the Apostolic Palace this weekend. The pope, a known cinephile, has revealed his four favorite films spanning decades of cinema history.

The pope's film tastes range from sentimental classics like 'It’s a Wonderful Life' (1946) and 'The Sound of Music' (1965) to more unexpected choices such as 'Life Is Beautiful' (1997), which explores dark themes. Recently, Pope Leo XIV met with Hollywood icons Robert De Niro and Arnold Schwarzenegger, setting the stage for this weekend's event.

Among the confirmed guests are A-list actors like Cate Blanchett, Monica Bellucci, Chris Pine, Viggo Mortensen, and Alison Brie, along with directors Spike Lee, George Miller, and Gus Van Sant. Dave Franco, known for his comedic roles, will also attend. The diverse group reflects the pope's wide-ranging film interests.

This gathering at the Apostolic Palace aims to foster dialogue between the Vatican and the world of cinema. With his love for film, Pope Leo XIV hopes to engage with these Hollywood figures, deepening mutual understanding and appreciation.

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